An amazing series of pictures Terry. The colors are almost other worldly. Thanks for sharing. While leaving from work last night the setting sun and sky were providing a beautiful scene but 5 minutes later it was all gone. You were at the right place at the right time. Take care

Your comment about the fronts providing opportunities is so true. We’ve had clear blue skies for days, and unless you catch the pink and blue of the Belt of Venus in the morning, there’s not much interesting.When the clouds begin to roil, it’s a different thing. I especially like the second, with the framing of the leaves.

No, it is not cold enough for that this early in the winter. This part of the river has far too much current flow to freeze over, but in about February, enough big ice cakes will break loose from the Flathead River (which flows into it ) to make an ice jam at the big bend in the river and cover it from bank to bank. That usually takes several weeks of sub-zero temperatures. This year I will be able to get out and photograph that if it happens as well as some of the ice jams up stream on the Flathead. They are awesome!

Hi Boyd! No, I really know little about the tent situation. I seldom backpack and the few times that I do now I use a Kelty 9X9 foot rain fly (because it weighs only 1.5 lbs) that I can set up in several configurations. I have several daypacks, my favorite being a military assault pack. It all depends on what all you carry with you and whether you are out for the day or longer. I plan to do a few longer trips next summer and will want a larger capacity pack, but haven’t started looking at them yet.

The orples and I love your blog. Let us know if you want to come out and play. You can read through the various topics posted thus far if you like to see what we’re up to. 🙂 In the meantime, thank you for sharing your photography skills, with all of the breathtaking beauty the West has to offer. 🙂 One day —the good Lord willing, and the creek don’t rise—I hope to saddle up, and enjoy that beauty in person. Your photos truly are exquisite.

I have been enjoying the orples and really like the creativeness of your blog. I hope that some time you will be able to come out this way and see this part of the country in person. And bring your saddle!

Thank you. The orples and I would love to play in your photos. If you’d like to join the fun, let me know. I’ll add your name to the list, and link back to the source when I use your material. I would love to ride out West, although I no longer own a saddle, or a horse—boo hoo. But I can rent one, if ever I get out that way. 🙂 A week on a Dude ranch is on my ‘bucket list’. 🙂